Ferguson Powers Men’s Basketball Past Colgate

Monday, February 8

West Point, NY

7:30 PM

Army West Point

14-11, 5-8PL

Colgate

11-13, 7-6PL

Colgate

Army West Point

Ferguson Powers Men’s Basketball Past Colgate

February 08, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Senior center Kevin Ferguson's double-double of a career-high 24 points and 12 rebounds propelled the Army West Point men's basketball team to an 82-72 victory over Colgate on Monday evening at Christl Arena.

In addition to Ferguson's performance, Army shot the ball well from distance, hitting 10-of-25 three-point attempts (40 percent). Tanner Plomb and Kyle Wilson joined him in double figures with 18 and 13 points, respectively. As a unit, the Black Knights handed out 16 assists, including five by Larry Toomey and four each by Dylan Cox and Jordan Fox.

Army evened the season series with Colgate and moved to 5-8 in Patriot League play and 14-11 on the season. Colgate fell to 11-13 on the season and 7-6 in conference games.

Austin Tillotson scored 16 points, Jordan Robertson added 13 and Tom Rivard contributed 10 for the Raiders.

Both teams shot better than 47 percent from the floor, but Army managed a plus-13 rebounding margin and made six more free throws (18-for-25) than the visitors.

"I really thought we improved from Saturday in a number of different areas," head coach Zach Spiker said. "We did a better job advancing the basketball and playing with pace. Colgate is a very good basketball team and I'm fired up for the guys for how they played tonight."

Army opened the game by hitting five of its first six three point attempts, including three by Plomb, as it had a 19-17 lead at the midway point of the opening half. A Luke Morrison triple continued Army's hot start from distance to help the Black Knights to a five-point cushion and two possessions later Morrison buried another three as Army started 7-for-9 from downtown. The home team led 27-20 at 7:16.

Fox found Wilson open in the wing and he hit Army's ninth three of the period to give it a 37-28 advantage four minutes later.

The halftime lead was 40-32 after a 9-for-16 three-point effort (56.3 percent). Colgate also found success from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes, hitting 7-of-14 from distance.

Army's lead stretched to 12 points (52-40) at 15:26 of the second half on an offensive rebound and putback by Morrison. Colgate scored the next five points, including a three by Rivard, as part of an 11-2 run that trimmed the deficit to 54-51 with under 12 minutes left. Ferguson converted inside to halt the momentum and put Army back ahead by five.

Leading 56-53, Plomb put home a baseline jumper and Ferguson finished a three-point play to quickly push Army's lead back to eight points. Another Ferguson basket moments later, this time a baby hook in the paint, had Army ahead 65-55 with a little more than seven minutes to play. The bucket was part of an 11-1 Army run that also saw Wilson knock in a triple to put help put the game out of reach. Ferguson's stickback with 4:24 completed the stretch as Army went ahead 72-56.

The 16-point advantage was Army's largest of the night in the eventual 82-72 triumph.

Army will have an extended break prior to its next game against American on Feb. 13. Opening tip from Bender Arena in Washington, D.C., is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Patriot League Network.

Game Notes: Tanner Plomb has scored in double figures in 30 straight games dating back to last season … Plomb moved past Mark Binstein '56 into 19th on Army's all-time scoring list (1,232 points) … Kevin Ferguson registered his 11th career double-double and 15th career double-digit rebounding performance … Ferguson set a new career high in free throws made with eight … Ferguson is now tied for fifth (Rob Dill, Lafayette) in Patriot League history with 191 career blocked shots … Ferguson occupies the top four spots on Army's season blocked shots list … Kennedy Edwards equaled his career high with two blocks … Kyle Wilson passed Jarell Brown '08 and is second in Academy history in three-pointers made with 253 … the Black Knights improved to 12-1 when leading at halftime this season … Army and Colgate split the season series ... the Black Knights lead the all-time series 60-58.